October 13th, 2012

The Seaside Nature Center, Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware…What’s Going On?, Activities, Events

It is a special time of the year for us, the residents of the Delaware Beaches.  It seems like on this Second Season we have the Beaches all to ourselves.  I took a drive late in the afternoon to check out the Cape Henlopen State Park.  Specifically, I wanted to find out what was going on in October.  The Seaside Nature Center offers programs for the whole family, including birdwatching, lectures on nature, seaside seining, hiking and biking.  The Park offers the ocean, the bay and plenty of water sports.

Until November 30th you will have to pay to get into the Park.  It is $4 for in-state cars and $8 for out of state cars.

The Seaside Nature Center is located inside the Park at 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958.  Tel. 302-645-6852.  So….if you are visiting, this is what’s going on:

Note:  All programs meet at the Seaside Nature Center unless otherwise stated.  The Seaside Nature Center is open year round from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily.

On Tuesdays, until November 13th at 8 a.m. – Bird Walks at Cape Henlopen.  Explore their birding hot spots with a staff naturalist.  Bring your binoculars and field guides.  Beginners are welcome, as well.

Saturday, October 13th – Animal Skullduggery at 11 a.m.  Investigate what animals do in the Park by examining their skulls, footprints and adaptations.  Ages 7 and  up with an adult. No fee.

Saturday, October 13th – Lantern Tour of Fort Miles.  Fort Miles was a key part of the nation’s coastal defense during and after WWII, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  At 6 p.m. Tour the Fort Miles Gun Battery by lantern light and experience how soldiers defended our coast during WWII.  Ages 10 and up with an adult.  Limit to 30.  Pre-registration is required by calling 302-645-6852.  $5 per person.  The Fort Miles programs meet at the Orientation Building in the Fort Miles Historic Area.

Saturday, October 20th – Wine, Cheese & Beer Tasting at the Officer’s Club (Youth Camp 3) from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.  Enjoy fine beverages and cheese as proceeds support the Friends projects in the Park.  Tickets are available at the Park Office, Biden Center, Lewes Chamber of Commerce, or call 302-858-6127.  Note:  Your ticket will be your entrance into the Park.  $20/person in advance and $24/person at the door.  If you would like more information on Friends events, volunteering or becoming a Friend of Cape Henlopen, please call 302-858-6127 or visit http://www.friendsofcapehenlopen.org.

Friday & Saturday, October 26th and 27th and Sunday, October 28th –  Please Save this Date because it is the 24th Annual Children’s Fantasy Trail inside the Park.  From 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.  Sunday, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.  The kids will see their favorite storybook characters, trick or treat for candy and toys, enjoy live entertainment, including juggling, magic, songs and more….Please wear your costumes!!  $5 per person, adults and children.  Volunteers are needed!  If you are interested in being a character or carving the many pumpkins that line our trail, call the Volunteer Coordinator at 302-644-5005, or the Seaside Nature Center at 302-645-6852.

It was almost closing time at the Seaside Center, but I still had time to check some of the exhibits.

Lectures are given in this room.  It had some reptiles and turtles.

The osprey cam has closed for the season since the ospreys are gone for the winter.  Still, the Seaside Center has a very interesting exhibit where you can see the development of the ospreys as they come back to the Park year after year.

There was a new Seahorse Exhibit.

A Touch Tank offered kids a fun time…they were getting so wet.

1,000 gallon tanks with local fish.

I was watching the horseshoe crab.  It was moving around here and there; not too fast.

All of a sudden, it turned on its side….

The Seaside Nature Center has a cute store too.  I am sure kids go crazy; lots of neat things to buy.

It was closing time…time to go.  The sun was setting…the deer were coming out.

Love it!! Talk to you later.

October 5th, 2011

Out & About, Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware Beaches

“In 1682 one of the most significant milestones occured, when the current lands of the State of Delaware were granted to William Penn.  He proclaimed that Cape Henlopen and its natural resources were to be for the common usage of the citizens of Lewes and Sussex County, thus establishing some of the first “public lands”.”

With that in mind and being that it was late in the p.m., Marisa and I took off from downtown Rehoboth Beach towards Cape Henlopen State Park.

Cape Henlopen State Park is located at 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958.  Just east of the Cape May Lewes Ferry.  It does not take long to get there from Rehoboth, especially at this time of the year.

The Park is open 7 days a week until 4 p.m.   The fees are $4 for registered Delaware vehicles and $8 for out of state cars.  This fees are in effect until November 30th.  If you would like more info., please visit www.destateparks.com/park/cape-henlopen.

Just like the Greyhounds were lounging at the beach in Rehoboth, the deer were out and about in the Park.  It was amazing to see that they were totally unafraid.  I was so near this young one; I practically could touch it.

The other ones were grazing or just hanging.

As we continued through the Park we stopped at the concession area.  I always take the picture walking towards the beach.  I love how it looks with the water meeting me at the end.

It was quiet and gorgeous, as usual.

The point was busy and windy, as well.  The kiteboarders were having a ball. 

On the Calendar:

Saturday, 10/15 is the Wine, Cheese & Beer Tasting, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Officer’s Club in the Cape Henlopen State Park.  This is a fundraising event for the new children’s playground sponsored by the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park.

$20 in advance or $25 at the door  (entrance to the Park is included)

Tickets can be purchased at R & B Liquors at 207 Second St., Lewes, The Biden Center at the Cape Henlopen State Park, or at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce in Lewes.  More info? Please call 302-858-6127.

The much awaited 23rd Annual Fantasy Trail will be:

Friday and Saturday 10/28 and 10/29 from 6:00 until 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, 10/30 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

$5 per person (children and adults)

Wear your costumes….please!!!

Have a Great Day!!